There are flat roofs, and there are slanted roofs. Some roofs have gables, while others just have shingles. A few are even metal or made from slate or other stone. Not every roof will work for every home. Here’s what you need to know about the roof of your home.

Flat Roofs

Flat roofs have a clean aesthetic. They allow for the largest attic space, and you can even make use of the top of the roof for spring and summer barbecues or entertaining. However, they require a special set of skills to install correctly. And, there are problems once winter comes around. In our area of Oregon, the average annual snowfall is nearly 2 feet. There have to be extra supports to keep the snow from caving in the roof. We can advise you about that during an initial appointment.

Other Roof Shapes

The most common roof that you see on houses is the gable. It’s what most people think of when they think of a “roof.” It goes up at an angle on each side and meets at a point above the attic. These angles don’t have to be symmetrical. A “salt box cottage” is one example of an asymmetrical gable.

There’s also the gambrel roof, which has multiple slopes. The mansard shape has two slopes, and it originated in France. Dormer roofs have one or more cupolas. You can have a butterfly roof, which looks like a Y. There are even M-shaped roofs. Whichever you choose, we can build it for you.

Roofing Materials

Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• Do you think you would like the bucolic look of cedar shakes?
• What about the modern aesthetic and extra durability of metal?
• Are simple tar shingles good enough?
• What kind of underlayment is best for the roof shape and roof covering I’m choosing?

During your initial appointment, we’ll work with you to choose the best possible combination of roof style, underlayment, and all other roofing materials. For example, the traditional material for a mansard roof is slate, while dormer roofs work well with tar or metal shingles. Our staff of highly qualified and experienced roofers are experts with the zax, so you can count on our slate roofing work. We’re equally well-versed with shingles, composite tiles, shakes, and various kinds of metal. Flat roofs need bitumen or any one of a number of other vinyl materials. Most of them also include roofing felt of one kind or another. No matter which kind of roof material you select, you can have peace of mind that it will be designed and built both to your specifications and with precision workmanship.

You have many factors to consider when you’re either building a house from scratch yourself or having one built. We have both the experience and the skills to help you choose the right kind of roof and build it for you. To find out everything that we can do for you regarding a new construction roof, contact us at Bliss Roofing in Portland, OR to set up an initial appointment.